Method of producing reflecting films, decalcomanias, and signs



July 21, 1953 F. l.. PQRTH METHOD OF PRODUCING REFLECTING FILMS, DECALCOMANIAS, AND SIGNS Filed July 15, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l N) TQ? INVENTOR. v jn/.Porw

F. L. PORTH July 21, 1953 METHOD OF PRODUCING REFLECTING FILMS, DECALCOMANIAS, AND SIGNS Filed July l5, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. n. P0 :"Zlf, 74%., 412714.-

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Patented July 21V, 1953 METHOD oF PRODUCING RFLECTING FILMS, DEcALooMANIAs, AND sIaNsl IllrankL.v Porth, Hillside, Ill., assigner toY The Y Meyercord Company, Chicago, Ill., a corpora-Y ltion of Illinois Application July 15, 1949, Serial No.`104,952Vv s claims. (o1. 117-35) This invention relates to` reflecting films, decalcomanias and signs of the type embodying Small reflexv reflecting elements, such as small glass spheres or the like, and more particularly Y to novel and advantageous methods of producing such films, decalcomanias and signs. This general type of reflecting media has application to highway markings, advertising, decoration and a Wide variety of other uses wherein it is desirable to provide brilliant surface effects for attracting attention or for conveying ,information This application is a continuation-in-part of myY copending application Serial No. 32,415, filed y June 11, 1948. f

Heretofore, in the production of reflecting lms, reflectingl decalcomanias and signs of vari- `ous types utilizing small glass beads partially embedded in a binder layer, the glass beads have been customarily applied to the binder layer While the material composing that layer was still in a tacky Yor plastic condition. The application of the beads to the tacky binder Was accomplished .in a variety of ways, such as by strewing, sprinkling, scattering or dropping them in excess on the upper surface of the binder layer from a concharacteristic was the relatively uneven distribution of the glass beads on the binder surface since formed therein, and because a portion of one bead overlay'a portion of another, the passage of light therethrough was interfered with causing improper reilection. It was quite difficult by such K method to secure an even, smooth, single layer of beads arranged in a vsubstantially single plane the beads frequently formed in thick piles or n l groups While other portions of the binder layer were partially devoid of beads. This resulted in a product having relatively large dead or nonreflecting areas.

Another disadvantage of such uncontrolled l'sprinkling or scattering was that the beads tended 'to pile up on each other or to overlie each other to a certain extent and because the binder was plastic or tacky' rather than ilowable when the beads were applied, the beads, even under pressure, were not always pressed down evenly so as to form a lflat, 'smooth reflecting surface. As a result, Athe surface in many instances was relatively uneven with 11111111156 peaksanddepressicns on the film, and the resulting reflecting lm, unless extreme care was taken in the application of the beads, was unduly thick and uneven with reduced reflective efficiency..

A further undesirable result of the gravity application method was that a fair percentage of" thebeads failed to become firmly anchored or embedded in the binding layer and, consequently, after a relatively short period of use under` normal weather conditions, the beads became loosened and separated from the bindingY layer thus detracting from the reflecting qualities of the sign. In order to more rrnly embed the beads in the binding layer, pressure means such as rollers or flat plates were resorted to, but the amount of pressure Was difficult to control as the beads Were not regularlyV distributed over the binder surface nor were they disposed at regular heights. It Was desirable that the beads be pressed down into the binder only to an extent of a fraction of their diameter so that the upper portion thereof projected above the binder surface for proper reflecting operatic-n of the sign. However, even though the beads were initiallyembedded `to a nearly'proper distance when the binder was tacky, this relationship did not continue to exist when the binder became dry. As the material composing the binder layer dried, it tended to dry away from the lower portions of the beads so as to reduce the socket area for each bead. In other Words many of the beads were forced by drying of the binder to assume positions more nearly at the top surface thereof and the so-called binder merely enveloped a.

small portion of the lo-werhalf of the bead. The

binder failed to a great degree to accomplish its i Y intended function.

The gravity or sprinkling method of application l. also was wasteful of glass beads in that they were source of supply. During application and recovery, many beads were spilled onto the floor or onto other adjoining surfaces and they not only made footing dangerous for the operators andv interfered with operations, but theyI also were diflicult to collect and were unfit for reuse due to contamination and mixture with foreignA subs.

stances. To rectify such disadvantages, attempts were made by provision of special structures to confine the beads during the sprinkling application, but for the most part they did not prove entirely successful. Furthermore, where attempts 5 were made to apply beads of a very small diameter in an effort to product a thin reflective film,

it was found that the problems of even distribution and control were all the more diflicult, since the drafts and air currents in production rooms; resulting from normal Ventilatingfconditicnsror,V from the movement of conveyortbelts: or'fpaperzz webs comprising part of the film, caused the small beads to be blown about out of hcontrol;l rllheveryfV small beads thus were incapablesofproper han*k dling and application, and their use was discouraged in favor of beads of largerrsizes.V

It is, therefore, one of the objects of the ,present invention to provide an improved process for the production of a reflecting film, a reflecting decalcomania or sign by which a mixture of 'glass v beads and a fiowable carrier may-be applied to a supporting surface through a stencil screen in accordance with the screen printing process.

Another object is the provisionof an improved process for the production of a reflectingV film,

a reflecting decalcomaniaor sign comprising'the application of a mixture of glass beads' and a owable carrier to a surface through a screen, the thickness of the screen relative to the diameter of the glass beads being such that-substantially a single layer of glass beads may vbe forced down within the interstices of `the'screen bythe squeegee.

A further object is theprovision of aV process 35 similar to that describediin the foregoingfobject in which the thickness of the screenzis slightly greater than the diameter of the glass beads so that substantially a single layer of glass beads may be received within the interstices ofthe 40 screen as thesqueegee passes thereover and-said beads may, after removaliof `the stencilscreen, settle or be drawn downwardlyfinto contact with the supporting surface and may alsoY spread slightly horizontally to occupy the space formerly occupied by the silk vscreenportions betweenk the interstices.

Another further object is the provision of an improved process for the-production'of a'reecting film or decalcomania which comprises the steps of forming on a supporting surface a coating of a temporary carrier material with glass beads embedded therein with the upper portions ofv the beads being exposed and projecting above the surface of said carriermaterial, applying alayer 5 of a permanent binder material in a liquidstate over and between the exposed surfaces ofthe glass beads and then drying-the'binder material to firmly and permanently embed the beads therein.

Another object is the provision of'an improved process for the production of a reflecting lrn or decalcomania which comprises the steps of applying to a supporting surface a mixture composed of glass beads in a temporary, removable, liquid carrier capable of shrinking-down upon drying to a fractionof its originalthickness, drying the carrier so that-a large portion of 'the upper surfaces of the glass beadsbecome exposed, applying a layer of a permanent binder material in a liquid state over and between the exposed surfaces of the glass Vbeads and-'then drying-fthe binder material.

Another object istheprovision of'anin'lproved process similar to that disclosed in B 'he." Ofhe* 75 two preceding objects but including the steps of removing the supporting surface from the dried glass bead carrying layer and then removing the temporary carrier from the lower surfaces of the glass beads and from the permanent binder layer.

Another object is to provide a method of forming a reflecting nlm containing a multiplicity of small, transparent glass beads which Acomprises applying to a supporting surface a layer of a 'mixture of small glass beads and a carrier or binder capable lof drying to a reduced thickv nessfand-then drying the carrier or binder to expose the upper portions of the beads.

Another-objectis-the provision of an improved processfortheproduction of a reflecting lm which comprises the-steps of applying to a removable-supporting.'surface a mixture comprised of glass beads in a temporary soluble liquid carrier capable'A ofv shrinking down upon drying to a fraction of its original thickness so as to expose a large portion of the upper surfaces of the glass beads, drying the carrier to expose the-upper" surfaces of the beads, applying a layer of'a permanent binder material in a liquid statecver,

and between the exposed surf-aces of the glass beads, drying the'binder material, removing the temporary carrier from the lower surfaces of the glass beads and fromY the permanent binder'layer by the application of a solvent inwhich'only the temporary carrier and not the binder-layer is soluble Still another speciiic object iste provide an improved process of forming a reflective sign comprising the steps of applying to a removable backing having a supporting surface a mixture composed of glass beads ina temporary, removable, liquid carrier capable of shrinking down upon drying to a fraction of its original thickness so as to expose a large portion of the upper surfaces of the glass beads, drying the carrier to expose the upper surfaces 'of the beads, applying a layer of a permanent binder material in a liquid state over and between the exposed surfaces of the glass beads, drying the binder material, applying an adhesive to the outer surface of said* binder material and applying the-composite layers to a sign base, removingv the supporting backing, and removing thev temporary carrier from the lower surfaces of the glass beads and from the binder layer to expose the same for the admission of light rays.

Other and further objectsand advantages of the present invention, and variations and modifications of the above-stated objects-thereof, will become apparent hereinafter as this description progresses, reference being had'to the accompanyv ing drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, vertical sectional view of a reiiecting decalcomaniaof'the facedown type produced in accordance with the improved process comprising the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic, vertical sectional view of the improved reecting decalcomania illustrating the layer of the mixture composed of glass beads in a temporary liquid carrier immediately after it has been applied to the soluble adhesive coating of decalcomaniar paper and while the liquid carrier is still wet;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View similar to that of Fig. 2 but illustrating the manner in which the temporary carrier has, upon drying, shrunk down away from the surfaces of the upperhalves of the glass beads so as to expose the same;

Fig; 4 isa diagrammatic, vertical sectional. viewlsliowingthereflectivetransfer of` Figs i.

. after it has been applied to a sign base and the decalcomania paper has been removed, the temporary carrier layer being shown partiallyrec view of adecalcomania of the face up type also.

, produced in accordance with the improved process comprising the present invention.

The reflecting decalcomania disclosed in Fig.

1 ofthe drawings which is manufactured in accordance with the novel and improved process of the present invention, comprises a releasable backing of the conventional,decalcomania paper I 0 having thereon a layer of soluble adhesive II, which facilitates separation frornthe 'composite structure as water is caused to penetrate through the paper I and soften the soluble adhesive II. The reflecting transfer which is removably carried by the decalcomania paper may be reflecting over. its entire area-or it may be provided withnon-relecting areas I'2 Yto provide areas of contrast with the reecting portions. These non-reflecting areas which may be applied to the soluble adhesive layer Il may be cornposed of any opaque nen-reflecting material.

On top of the soluble adhesive layer II- and between the non-reflective areas I2 there is a Vcomposite layer in which is embedded a layer of small, transparent glass beads or spheres I3, the lower portions of the glass beads being embedded in a'removable carrier layer Id composed of a soluble and flexible temporary carrier material and the upper portions of the glass beadsfI3 being rmly anchored in aY layer i6 of a permanent, uncolored, clear, transparent binder material. As will be explained vin ,further detail hereinafter, the material of 'the permanent binder'layer I6 is of different composition and has different characteristics than the temporary carrier material Ill, it being particularly importantrthat .the binder layer I6 beresistant to andremain unaffected by the solvent used to remove the temporarycarrier material I4. The clear binder layer I6 alsoV overlies and overlaps as Va seal the non-reecting areas I2 so as'to engage the inner surfaces thereof and to contact a p0rton of thel soluble adhesive layer I I.

As shown clearly in Fig. 1, all the glass beads I3 are arranged, in accordance with the process of the present invention, in a single layerfand their lower ends are in engagement with the smooth upper surface of the soluble adhesive layer II, the beads thus being disposed in one plane and'their lower ends presenting a substantially even, smooth, composite lower surface,

It is to Vbe understood'thatY the spacing between of such thickness that the distance between 'a' reflective Vmetallic layer I8 and theuppermost faces of the beads does not exceed one-third the of the structure is materially reduced, and .likewise the same general vresult follows where the Vbeads vare very close to the inner `reflective surfaces.v

highly reflective layer of metallic material I 8V such as an'aluminum powder in a nitrocellulose varnish. By this metallic coatingY I8 which provides maximum reflection and -minirnurn light absorption, the color characteristics of the color layer I I are emphasized and made more vivid. The reflective ,qualities ofA this composite color reflecting means are greater than if a single reflective color layer were employed. However, in accordance with the novel features of the f process of the present invention, a single reflective color layer may be provided for achievingv quite satisfactory Vresults without employing the translucent color layer inf combination with the highly reflective metallic layer, it'beingunderstood that the present invention may be `utilized in producing a variety of combinations. Furthermore, the non-reflecting areas, instead. of

being positioned as indicated by the numeral I2 v in the drawings, may alternately be laid down 'over the permanent binder layer` I6 as part of 4 the composite color layer I'I so as to form nonents composing the materials of the temporary carrier layer I4, the binder layer I6, the transj lucent color layer I'I Vand the reflecting metallic or effect on the overall 'reflective eiciency of ,the finished lm. The clear binder layer I6 is layer I 8, is as follows:

Temporary carrier layer I 4:

Ethyl cellulose oze- 26 Cellosolve (2 ethoxy ethanol) solvent gal-- 1A; Castor oil-plasticizer gal-- 116 Add to this mixture an equal quantity of glass beads.

- Percent Permanent binder layer I6: by weight -Nitrocellulose 20 Cellosolve (2-ethoXy-ethanol) solvent 66.8

v Castor oil-plasticizer 13.2

VTranslucent color layer II: Y

This material is formed by adding to the same material comprising the binder material I6 a dry lake dye of the desired color. The amount of color added varies with the type of color. For example, where red is added, the amount is 5% and Where yellow Ontop ofthe clear binder layer I6, there is is added, theamount is approximately 21/2 Reecting metallic layer I8:

This material is formed by adding an equal amount of aluminum powder to an equal amount of the same material comprising the binder material i6.

The novel and improved form of reflecting film and decalcomania which has been described generally above, may be formed entirely by the screenV printing` process although other methods of application may also be utilized in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The nonrefiecting areas i2 may first be laid down in the desired areas on the top surface of the soluble i. adhesive layer i i of the commercial decalcomania paper IB, by forcing an opaque paint through a silk screen provided with the proper design. These opaque areas may be in the form of a number or letter or other design which is to be noted and understood by the observer, this being ac` complished by contracting with the reflective background in which the glass beads are incorporated. The reverse arrangement, however, may also be utilized and in such an arrangement the opaque areas may form the background and the contracting reflective areas may constitute the design or number to be observed.

After the non-reflecting areas l2 have dried, the temporary carrier layer Iii with the glass beads i3 therein is then laid down by the screen printing process on the upper surface of the soluble adhesive il adjacent the non-reilecting areas I2. The material from which the temporary carrier layer it is formed, as set forth in the example, may be a clear, soluble material such as ethyl cellulose containing a sufficient quantity of plasticizer to afford proper flexibility of the dried lm and a sumcient quantity of evaporable solvents to afford a proper degree of :duidity for screen printing and to insure that the layer Ui will shrink down upon drying by evaporation of the solvents to a considerably reduced thickness such as approximately fty percent (50%) of its thickness when wet. The carrier mixture lll may also be applied as a coating by means of a roller,

knife, brush or other suitable apparatus.

The glass beads may be quite small in size,

such as .003 of an inch in diameter, this reduced l size resulting in a decalcomania which is thin, smooth and flexible. The mixture which is screen printed may be composed of one part ethyl cellulose, plasticizers and solvents to approximately one part of glass beads, these measurements being by volume rather than by weight. Because the glass beads have a greater specific gravity than the ethyl cellulose composition, they tend to sink to the bottomof the container and consequently, it is highly important that the mixure of ethyl cellulose and glass beads be thoroughly and constantly agitated prior to and during use. When the mixture has been thoroughly and properly agitated, the beads will be more or less uniformly distributed throughout the body thereof with the number of glass beads in one cubic unit of volume the respective ends of the screen is sufficient to keep the mixture constantly agitated so that the beads will remain in properlyV spaced suspension. The consistency of the mixture is such that it may be screened in the usual manner so as to readily pass down through the interstices of the screen without running or sticking.

In order that substantially a single layer of glass beads maybe laid down in a relatively uniform manner on the upper surface of the soluble adhesive layer il so that they will not pile up or overlie each other, a definite relationship between the thickness of the screen and the thickness of the glass beads utilized -must be maintained. The thickness of the-screen employed controls the amount of glass beads applied to the adhesive layer il. It is imperative that the thickness of the screen be not much greater than the diameter of the glass beads, although a screen of equal thickness may approximate satisfactory results. For example, where the diameter of the glass beads of the screenable mixture is :O03 of an inch, the silk, copper or stainless steel screen preferably should not exceed a thickness of .004 or .005 of an inch, and when the glass bead diameter is as high as .006 of an inch, the screen should not exceed .G08 or .010 of an inch in thickness. The interstices of the screen, however, are of a width and length suflicient to admit a plurality of glass beads in a substantially horizontal layer so that a group is formed on the adhesive layer Il through each interstice of the screen. It is understood that whenthe beads are received within the screen interstices, they are not, when the screen is still in engagement with the releasable backing, arranged perfectly in the same plane but a few of them may be slightly higher or wedged in over the others. Y

Thus, as the squeegee moves over the screen in frictional contact therewith it forces or presses down through the open linterstices of the screen the mixture of ethyl cellulose and a substantially single layer of glass beads. lSince a double layer of glass beads in and over any single screen opening would cause the top layer of beads to project above the screen to an extent equal to all or a major portion of their diameter, the top `or second layer of beads is not down within the screen opening so as to be protected thereby from the squeegee. Hence, the squeegee as it passes over the screen forces any second layer of glass beads ahead of it leaving substantially a single layer in the interstices of the screen.

Where the screen thickness is the same as the diameter of the beads, there is little or no chance that a few extra beads, which would be in slightly raised position, will remain in the screen opening due tothe squeegee action. It is desirable, however, that a few extra beads be included in each screen opening in slightly elevated position in order that the space on the backing occupied by the portions of the screen between the interstices may later be occupied by the beads when the screen is removed. This is accomplished by having the screen slightly greaterin thickness than the diameter of the beads so that Aa few may be protected from the squeegee even in slightly elevatedl position. As soon as the bed of the press with the paper backing thereon has been lowered away from the screen, those few beads which are in slightly elevated position move down into contact with the adhesive coating Il as the other glass beads between the interstices during printing'.l The temporary'carrier comprising the ethylY cellulose Vcompound Y,possesses sucientruidity or ilow- ...ability to permitthis settling and spreading movement of thefbeads. Thus, the glass beads .areform'ed into a'substantially single ,layer without overlying each other so as to form peaks and ,depressions-andthe lines of the vstencil v.screen are eliminated. -The settling or' move. .mentof Athe glass beads down into substantial contact with the adhesive coating I I is believed to beleiected-somewhat by the weight of the beads themselves and partly by the surface ten- -sion ofthe carrier material with respect to the' glass beads. Sinoethe carrier materialas it dries tends to remain in engagement and re-v tain a vgrip on the side surfaces of the beads,

the beads are pulled downwardly. as the layerv dries downwardly.

It iste be noted that the lower faces of the glass beads, as a result of squeegee pressure,v .settling under their, ownyweight or by ther surface tension, engage the smooth upper surface of the soluble adhesive layer il, and, consequently, they are arranged in substantially Va singleplane that is relatively smooth and even, the lower faces ofl the beads being-substantially the same distance from rthe source of light when in use andftheirv upper faces being substantiallyv the.- samedistance from the'upper surface of the `spread or give way.v horizontally solas,v toprovide i space therefor, and .to occupy the space onthe backing formerly occupied by the screen threads of the process the solvent of the ethyl cellulose composition evaporates causing the layer Aof thatcomposition to shrink down to approximately one half its original thickness toward the soluble adhesive layer II. Asa result, as shown in Fig.v 3,

the dried temporary carrier I4 is much thinner thaninits wetstate and at least the upper halves of the glass beads 'areexposed Due to surface tension and capillarity, thefupper surfaces of the t downwardly from approximately the central side carrierv material i4 between the beads is curved `surfaces of the beads.- I

In Figs. l andS'of the drawings, the temporary ecarrier layerllt is illustrated asy having .shrunk or dried enti-rely away from the upper surfaces of those portionsrof the glass beads VI3 which yproject above the main dried body portion'thereof, and this fact and manner of illustration appear-to be correct as a result of tests and visual observation.' If, in fact, any of the carrier material I 4 does remain over the upperv bead surbe considered either as being completely and.V

bindenlayer I5 andthe color and reflectinglay-- .ers I'I and ISfrespectively. This even arrange,- i .ment of the beads results in uniform lightY revflection,and the improvedV process of producing such an arrangement and Icomprising the present invention insures .uniformity of products.

However; the nished lm of decalcomania does contain invsomefinstanoes and in someportions of its area-some surfaceirregularities and lnoneuniform bead distribution. But lsuch partial defects lresult for the mostpartfrom irn- Ypro-per mixing, of the'beads in the carrier, from vimperfections in the vscreen and squeegea'from .failure to maintain the proper operational relationship between the thickness ofl the screen and the thickness of the glass beads, and from -diiferences-in the .siges ofthe beads themselves.

It frequently ;happensfthat'beads furnished by va manufacturer asvbeing of acertain size, such as'.003 of an inch indiameter, range somewhat above and below that gure, with the result that the larger beads will appearv microscopically to project slightly higher than the others. Yet these differences in heights are so infinitesimalrthat thesurface produced still may be yconsidered smooth for all practicalipurposes and its overall light reflective efciency is inl no way impaired. l Y .j Y

In Fig. 2, the partiallyfformed decalcomania .is shown somewhat `diagrammatically'as it appears shortly after it has been separatedvfrom the silk screen. Some of the glass beads I3 have .been forced down into contact with the adhesive layer Ilv by the squeegee while others arestill slightly raisedv therefrom but already in the process 'ofsettling .or being drawn down rand spreading. The temporary carrier ldicomprisf ling the ethyl cellulose composition still extends around and over the upper surfaces of the glass .beads I3. The partially formed decalcomania is ythen permitted to dry,`or may b e driedby the application of heat, and during this drying step faces, it is in the form of an extremely Ythin curving skin which in no way interferes With the reflective qualities of the lm. Thus it must be understood for the purposes of theipresent disclosure that when it is stated that the upper portion of the-glass beads are exposed by drying of the carrier material', the .carrier material may screen and theclear binder layer I6 is then laid downthrough the screen and flows over and between the beads and over the non-reecting areas I2 and over part of the soluble adhesive layerr II kat the sidesA thereof. .The material of which the clear binder layer is formed, as shown -.ftrocellulose compound,V although other composi- Ytions such as rclear varnishes or varnish type in the example, may be a clear,ptransparent`ni alkyd resinsmay be utilized with satisfactory results. The clear binder material I6 must be of a different composition than the vtemporary carrier I4 in order thatra solvent for the temporary carrier will not attach or dissolveV the Y clear binder layer- I6 when the temporary carrier l is being removed by the solvent.

The clear binder coat I6 is applied in suchv a thickness that it will penetrate down between the glass beads to completely ll all'the spaces therebetween resulting from shrinkage of the temporary carrierV I4, and will extend over the topsof the glass beads to an extent not exceed ing one third the diameter of the beads. `r13e-- Acause there is also some shrinkage when the clear binder layer I6 dries, the binder material is applied in a thicker coating to permit drying down to the desired thickness. Although the temporary carrier I4 dries down toward the soluble adhesive layer. Il and hence away from the yupper surfaces -of the glass beads I3, .dryingof d the binder layer I6` has just theopposite effect andV results. Since the" binder material-[6 is ap,-

plied over the exposedY tops of the beads and down in between the beads so as to completely fill all the spaces therebetween and thereover, it

cannotdry upwardly soas to pull away from the beads. Thedryingis mostly from the upper exposed surface Vof the binder layer I6, the beads being below the surface, and the tendency toward the creation of a vacuum prevents the binder material from pulling away vfrom the glass beads. Thus, the binder material I6 actually dries down onto the glass beads I3 so that as a net result the beads are firmly embedded therein in an even, single plane.

The carrier layer I4 serves only a temporary purpose. It is not the permanent binder in which the beads I3 are held after the reflective nlm of the decalcomania has been transferred to a sign base. Itserves merely as a carrier which permits the glass beads to be screen printed and to be arranged in a single, even layer. It serves to hold the glass beads in proper position so as 'to expose the upperportion thereof to the wet binderlayer It in which the beads later become rrnly embedded. It is not important that the beads bevse'curely held in the carrier I4 with any degree of perinanency. It is only necessary that they be held until the permanent binder coat I3 has been applied and has dried. In fact, the more insecurely any particular bead is held in the'teniporary carrier I4 because a smaller amount ofits body is embedded in the carrier the ymore securely it will finally be embedded in the binder layer l@ inasmuch as there is more eX- posed body area of the bead to be enveloped by Vthe binder coat as it ilows over and between the beads. However, the nature of the carrier layer is such that upon shrinkage due to drying, approximately the upper one half of each bead will be exposed'.

As shown in Figs.` 1 and 3 of the drawings, the carrier layer it dries down to a greater extent away from the side surfaces of the'glass beads IS so that the upper surfaces of the carrier layer Ill between the glass beads vare pitted or concave.

Thus, when thepermanent binder I6 is applied The decalcornania produced in the manner described in detail above and shown in completed form in Fig. l of the drawings, is designated as a face down type,the face of the transfer which eventually becomes exposed to the view of the observer being printed down against the soluble adhesive II and the layer which is attached to surface to-be decorated being face up prior to transfer. The improved reflecting transfer may be readily applied to any sign base and the o manner of application comprising an important feature of the present invention will be described in connection with Fig. 4 of the drawings. A quantity of adhesive I3 of any suitable type for outdoor use may be brushed onto the outer surface of the metallic reflecting layerl I3 or may be applied directly to one surface of the sign base 20 to which the transfer may be applied. As an alternative a layer of adhesive may be screen printed on the back of the metallicV layer I8 so as to become an integral part of the decalcomania and then when it is desired to apply the transfer to theY sign base Z, the adhesive may be activated by heat'or a solvent. After theA adhesive has been applied or has been ac'- to the outer surface of the paper backing I0 soV as to soften the soluble adhesive layer II and permit the paper Il) to bepeeled away leaving the other layers adhering to the sign base 20. When the paper backing I0 has been removed, a quantity of a solvent is then applied to the temporary carrier by means of a solvent sat-v urated rag or sponge, and by a rubbing action the entire temporary carrier layer may be wiped away from the glass beads I3, thus exposing all the surfaces thereof not enveloped by the clear binder material I6. In Fig. 4, the right hand portion of the temporary'carrier layer I4 has been wiped away by the solvent and the left hand portion has yet to be removed. ln the example given above, the temporary carrier I4 is composed of ethyl cellulose and hence denatured alcohol may be utilized as the solvent to effect its removal, it being understood that denatured alcohol is not a solvent for the nitrocellulose binder I6. The temporary carrier i4 may be colored or uncolored since in any event it serves only a temporary purpose and is always removed from the transfer when'the sign is prepared. However, it is preferable that the carrier Hl be of clear transparent material sov that in the event a minute quantity remains in between the glass beads I3 vdue to improper application of solvent or insufficient wiping, or remains in an extremely thin skin on the upper surface thereof, the reflective eflioiency of the lm will be little affected.

With the temporary carrier I4 removed, the surfaces of the lower, or now the outer, halves of the glass beads I3 are now fully uncovered and exposed toward any sourcev of light. The glass beads I3 are firmly'anchored or embedded in the permanent binder' I` and the sign thus prepared is capable of a long operable life under extreme weather conditions. The beads I3 are securely Yheld against dislodgment and the-color and metallic layers Il and I3, respectively, are protected against weathering and remain bright and` lustrous and highly reiiective. The rays of `light enter vthrough the front surfaces of the glass beads I3 and pass on through the clear binder I6, through the translucent lcolored layer Il to the surface of the metallic layer I8 from which they are reflected back through the above mentioned layers to the source of light in the well understood manner. The reflected light seen by the observer, however, is colored due to the color layer I'I. f

From the foregoing itis thus apparent'that applicant has devised a greatly improved decalcomania andra method of producing and applying the same. The unsatisfactory gravity methodof application ofthe glass beads, such as by sprinkling or scattering or dropping from a hopper, has been' entirely eliminated together with the unsatisfactory results of that method. The glass beads are not piled up nor do they generally overlie each other so as to interfere with light transmission and reiiection or to present a relatively thick decalcomania with a greatly roughened surface having a Vast number of pronounced peaks and depressions in which foreign matter anddi'rt may readily cling and resist'removal. On the contrary, the glass beads "audace I3 in the present decalcomania are arranged in substantially a single layer vin susbtantially aA single plane with the inner and outer faces thereof in substantial alignment, and they are securely embedded to 'a regular, controlled depth in the :binder layer. decalcomanias, embedded to various ldepths in a y--wide range, some being secure androthers not They are not, as in many prior The surface of the decalcomania comprising the present inventiony is extremely smooth to the touch and does not providea sandpaper sensation or appearance as the prior reiiective lms.

Moreover, theY old wasteful method of application-of the glassbeads has been eliminated and lthere is no possibility of their becoming scattered or blownabout by air currents. A quantity* of glass beads may be simply Vpoured into a container of the ethyl Cellulose carrier and then` stirred, and during application thereafterV the beads are held in the carrier. Hence glass beads of a very small diameter may be employed. y Furvlthermore, the necessity of pressurev means to -embed the glass beads in the binder layer and all the uncertainties and variables accompanying the use of such means havey also, been eliminated.

V- Although the carrier layer` I4 has been de- Ascribed above as being removable by means of Y a -solvent therefor, it is also within the teachings of the present invention that the carrier layerv be removable merely by afphysical stripping action. To this end, a carrier material may Vtimeovef and press them inwardly te a limited extent while thev carrier layer still tacky. It would not be important as above explained as to 4how Well the beads were embedded in this temporary carrier layer inasmuch as thepermanent binder layer vcould thenfbe laid down over the exposed top portions of the beads.

' In Fig. 5 of the drawings, there is shown .a modified Vform of decalcomaniaproduced'in accordance with the present invention and which is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that the non'- vreflectingjareas I2 have4 been omitted and the translucent color layer I'I and the metallic layer I8 have also been omitted. ThisV decalcomania merelyV comprises a paper. backing 30, ra water v soluble adhesive 3|, a temporary carrier 32, glass beads 33. and a permanent binder layer 34. The carrier layer 32 and the permanent binder 34 are composed of the same clear, uncolored, transparent material as in the first form of Fig. 1

' and is formed by the screen printing process in exactly the same manner.' Without the color layers, therefora'this decalcomania is of the all clear typev and has particular application to sign beprovided Awhich may be screen printed and'` Y vwhich will dry down to. approximately one half of its wet thickness, but which at the same time .Would'hava when dry, very little ainity fori-or 4adhesive effect on the lowerportion' of the glass beads or the binder layerili.A It is suflicient'if ythe carrier material I4 be of a character capable of maintaining the beads in proper position during formation ofthe permanent binder layer I6 and retaining the transfer on the soluble ad- `hesive layer,u I I prior to application of the transfer. Thus when the paper backing I0 has been soaked olf, such a carrier layerf.|4 may be removedv merely by grasping an edge thereof and peeling the-same away in a ldryfstate. from the glassY Abeads I3 and the binder I6 without turbing the glass beads in any way.

It is also apparent that the carrier layer I4 may comprise simply a glue or'any other type of water'soluble adhesive having the general dis- characteristics above described. Thus, instead of requiring the use of a special solvent such as denatured alcohol, Water-may be applied to remove the same. In fact, the application of water to the paper backing I0 to soften the adhesive .II- would then have the effect of softening and starting, the removal of the water soluble carrier I4.

A Y. lIt is further apparent that the temporary carrier layer I4, instead of containing la high degree of solvents to effect considerable shrinkage in thickness, could contain, when Wet, the norbases vwhich already have a colored surface thereon. To apply, a quantity of clear adhesive isA brushed onto the outer surface of the binder .layer 34 which is then placed against the colored sign base. The paper backing V30 is then removed by water and the temporary carrier 32 ,isY wiped away by means of a solvent in exactly the vsame manner asin the iirstform.V I

.In Fig. 6 of the drawingsthe present invention is shown as embodied-in a decalcomania of the .face up type... This modication is also produced by the improved process ofthe present in ventionv and comprises a paper backing 40 coat-- ed with a layer of soluble adhesive 4I on which.

' the remainder of the composite transfer'is laid down in layers in a manner fsimilarito that described in connection with the rst embodiment shown inFig. 1 but in reverse order. YThe metallic reflecting layer 42 is screen printed first rather than last and is laid'down'directly. on; the soluble adhesive layer 4I, and then the trans- 'lucent color layer 43 is formed' over the metalliclayer. This color layer is then covered by a iilm 44 of clear lacquer which is applied ina thickness Aso as not to-exceed one third of the diameter of the glass beads later applied. It is to be .understood that each of these films are appliedv after the preceding one is properly dried and may compose material in accordance with the specific examplel given or their, equivalent. The last coat to be appliedfcomprises a mixture of a clear` carrier and a binder material 46 and glass beads. 41, this material being either an Y ethyl cellulose or a nitrocellulose or any other suitable clear transparent compound with plasticizers and solvents 'to which is added an equal. yquantity byV volume of glass beads. The materia1 46 contains a sufficient percentage of evap-` orable'solvents toV cause the layer of materialA to dry down Ior shrink to approximately fifty percent of its thickness when wet. However, this: material in the face up type of decalcomania. serves not only as the carrier for the glass beads;

, .when they are being printed through the vscreen,.A

vbut also serves as the permanent binder,

Itis not intended that this clear carrier matei vrial 45lbe removed by a solvent as is the casef in the rst embodiment of Fig. 1.

The mixture of clear carrier and binder mate-4 rial 46 and glass beads 41 is handled in substantially the same manner as the glass beadV mixture of, thei first embodiment and .is .applied in `exactly thesame manner. The thickness ci. the screen is slightly greater than the diameter of the. glass beadsvthusinsuring that substantially one layer ofv beads will beapplied to. the clearlm it. Because of the squeegee pressureand the iiuidity of the carrier andibinder compoundafter separationof the sheet from the screen, substantially all the bottom faces of the glass beads are arranged in contact with the smoothupper. surface of the clear, transparentlacduer nlm ileso that. a relatively smooth,v even upper surface ofbeads is formed lwithout pronounced rough peaks or depressions'. When the clear carrier and binder 4S `dries down or shrinks, the beads are irmly embedded andheld inasmuch as the beads have reached their final and fully embedded position before theV binder; material has had an opportunity todry. The beads adjust themselves, or are adjusted by the. squeegee, downwardly while thematerial is still wet. and quite ilowable rather than whentaclry.

The manner of application of the transfer: of this face up type of decalcomania to asign base is -Well understoodin the art. The entire transfer is rst dipped inwater to soften the adhesive layer lll after whichthe transfer comprising.. the layers. 42;, lli-l, de andA 46 and di' is slid therefrom and applied toa sign base. The soluble adhesive 4| may be utilized to secure the metallic layer 42 against the sign base or additional adhesive or cement may be added., Then the transfer isrolled down fiat under pressure to securely ailxy the same tothe base `The process comprising the present invention may bautilisedv to form reflecting nlms'on any supporting. surfaces and ,thesesupporting surfaces may beeeithertemporary in nature such as decalcomania paper orthey'may be permanent. such as a sign-base ora.. base intended to be. aixed G12-supported. iii-,visual position. Hence, the renetting film of the; present: invention may be screenprintedior: applied directly to a sign. base any suitahlemanner. For; instance, the mix- -tureofiglass beads'gdl and carrier and binder materialen mayg alone; be; readily applied over; any surfacefin any suitable manner-and the film' thus produced. would have great utility. It would provide a brilliantly reflective film whichcould be applied'in a single'rnanner in a single operation atza minimum of: expense and elort, andLany old existing. snriacescouldbe restored to apb'rilliant efiic'iency by use of the single lm;

.Althoughith'ere has been described. in detail .improved and-novel' processes comprising: the presentl invention-in accordance with which the severalY forms ofi reflectingdecalcomanias, lms and. signs may be produced, it isv to beundergstood that changes and modifications inthe de.- tailsA and steps of the processes may be'resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the present: invention as deined in, the appended claims.

I claim:

l. The method:y ofVv forming. a reflecting decal- `eomania containing. a-.multiplicity'of small .transparent glass beads'which comprises` applying` to a releasablefbacking aflayer of reiiecting material, applying;v a layerY oftransparent: material over saidreilecting-layen squeegeeing; throughv astenoil. screen. onto saidtransparent layer az mixture of a multiplicity of small transparentglassbeads ,ofy substantially uniform diameter anda binder of transparent liquid; material containing a relatively largequantity of an evaporable solventsuch Y that the binder material is capable of drying to a reduced thickness to expose the upper portions of the beads, the thickness of said screen being only slightly greater than the diameter oi'the glass beads whereby to permit substantially. only a single layer of beads to enter the interstices of the screen, and drying said binder material to permanently embed the lower portions of the beads in said binder layer and to expose the upper portions thereof. Y

2. The method of forming a reiiecting' decalcomania containing a multiplicity of small transparent glass beads which comprises squeegeeing through a stencil screen onto a releasable backing a mixture of a multiplicity of small transparent glass beads of substantially uniform diameter and a temporary carrier material in liquid form, the thickness of said screen being only slightly greater than the diameter of, the glass beads whereby to permit substantially'only a single layer of beads to enter the interstices of the screen, permitting the beads to settle into4 contact with the backing and drying the carrier material, eliminating the upper portion of the dried carrier layer to expose the upper portions of the glass beads, applyingra layer of permanent binder material in liquid form over the remainder ci' the carrier layer and over and between the upper portions of the glass beads, said binder material being strongly adherent to the beads but readily releasable from said carrier material, and then drying the binder material'` to permanently embed the upper portions of said beads in said binder layer.

3. The method of forming a reflecting decalcomania containing a multiplicity of small transparent glassbeadswhich comprises squeegeeing through a stencil screen onto a releasable backing a mixture of a multiplicity of small transparent glassl beads-of substantially uniform diameter andv a temporary carrier material in liquid form, the thickness of' said screen being only slightly greater than the diameter of the glass beads whereby to permit substantially only a single layer of beads to enter theinterstices of the screen, permitting the beadsto -settleirito contact with the backing. and drying: the carrier material, applying a solvent to and wiping away the upper portion of the carrier layer to expose the upper portionsof the glass beads, applying a layer of permanent binder material nliquid forrn'over the remainder ofthe carrier layer and over and between the said upper portions of the glass beads, said binder material beingstrongly adherent-'to the beads butreadily releasable-from said carrier material, and then drying the binder material to permanently embed the upper portionsV ofsaid beads in said binder layer.

4. The method of forming a reilecting iilm containing a multiplicity of small transparent glass beadswhich comprises squeegeeing a mixture of a liquid carrier materialV and a multiplicity of small; transparent glass beads of substantially uniform diameter through a stencil screen onto a-supporting surface, the thickness of said screen being only slightly greater than the diameter of thev glassfbeads whereby to permit substantially only a single layer of beads to enter the interstices of the screen and said carrier material containing a relatively large quantity of an evaporablev solventsuch that the viscosity of the carrier materialpermits said glass beads to settle therethroughinto contactwith the su-pporting'surface and said'icarrier-materialbeing capable'of drying toia. removable film of reducedv4 thickness, and

thickness whereby to exposethe upper portion Y of said beads;

5. The method of forming a reflecting lm containing a multiplicity ofsmall transparent glass uniform diameter through a vstencil screen onto a supporting surface, the thickness of said screen beingk only slightly greater than the diameter of the glass beads whereby to permit substantially only a single layer of beads to enter the interstices of the screen and said carrier material containing a relatively large quantityof an evaporable solvent such that the viscosity'of the carrier material permits said glass beads to settle therethrough into contact with the supporting surface and said carrier material being capable of drying vto a vremovable lm of y reduced thickness for exposing the upper portions of said'glass beads, drying said mixture to form said'iilmof reduced thickness whereby to expose the upper portions of said glass beads, applying a liquid comprising a permanent binder material over and between the exposed upper portions of said beads, said binder material being strongly adherent to the beads but readily releasable from said carrier material, and drying said binder material to per- `manently embed said beads therein.

6. The method of forming a reflecting film containing a multiplicity of small transparent glass beads which comprises squeegeeing a mixture ofV a liquid carrier material and a multiplicity of small transparent glass beads of substantiallybeing only slightly greater than the diameter'of the glass beads whereby to permit substantially only asingle layer of beads to enter the interstices of the screen and said carrier material containing a relatively large quantity of an evaporable solvent such that the viscosity of the carrier material permits said glass beads to settle therethrough into contact with the supporting surface and said carrier material being capable of drying to a removable lm of reduced thickness for exposing the upper portions of said glass beads,v

the exposed upper portions of said beads, said binder'material being strongly-adherent to the beads but readily releasable from said carrier material, drying said binder material to permanently embed said beads therein, and subsematerial permits said glassbeads to settle there- Y through into contact with said backing and said carrier material being capable of drying to a removable film of reduced thickness for exposing the upper portions of said glass beads, drying the mixture to form said iilm of reduced thickness whereby to expose the upper portions Vof said beads,` applying a layer of a permanent binder material in liquid form over and between the exposed upper portions of the beads, said binder material being strongly adherent to the beads but readily releasable from said carrier material, and drying the binder layer to permanently embed the beads therein.

V8. The method of forming a reflecting sign -bearing a multiplicity of small transparent glass said carrier material containing a relatively large quantity of an evaporable solvent such that the viscosity of the carrier material permits said glass beads to settle therethrough into `Contact with said backing and said carrier material being capable of drying to a removable lm of reduced thickness for exposing the upper portions of the beads, drying the mixture to form said lm of vreduced thickness whereby to expose the upper portions of said beads, applying a layer of a per- `manent binder material in liquid form over andV between the exposed upper portions of the beads, said binder material being strongly adherent to the beads but readily releasable from said carrier material, drying the binder layer to perma- .nently embed the beads in said binder layer,

securing the composite structure to a supporting sign base with the binder layer adhered to said base and removing the releasable backing, and then removing the temporary carrier to expose the lower surfaces of the glass beads.

quently removing the film of carrier material v to expose the lower portions of the beads.

7. Themethod of forming areilecting decalcomania containing a multiplicity of small transparent glass beads which comprises squeegeeing through a stencil screen onto a releasable backing a mixture of a temporary removable carrier material in 'liquid form and a multiplicity of small transparent glass beads ofv substantially uniform diameter, the thickness of said screen being only slightly greater than the diameter of the glass beadswhereby to permit substantially only a single layer of beads to enter the interstices of the screen and said carrier material containing a relatively-large quantity of an evaporable solvent such that the viscosity of the carrier I FRANK L. PORTH.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number ,Name Dater 2,181,573 Bunker Nov. 28, 1939 2,267,787 Ciavola Dec. 30, 1941 2,294,930` P'almquist Sept. 8, 1942 2,354,018 VI-Ieltzer et al. July 18, 1944 2,354,048 Palmquist July 18, 1944 Y 2,354,049 Palmquist Ju1y'18, 1944 2,379,507 Deyrupp July 3, 1945 2,379,702 Gebhard July 3, 1945 2,386,626 Nadeau et al. Oct. 9, 1945 2,403,752 Phillippi July 9, 1946 2,411,222 Meigs Nov. 19, 1946 2,422,256 Phillippi June 7, 1947 2,430,534 Rodli Nov. 11, 1947 2,440,584 Heltzer et al Apr. 27, 1948 2,548,872 Cross et al. Apr. 17, 1951 2,559,756 Buck July 10, 1951 2,567,186 Cross et al. Sept. 11, 1951 2,574,971 Heltzer Nov. 13, 1951 2,591,779 Buck Apr. 8, 1952 

7. THE METHOD OF FORMING A REFLECTING DECALCOMANIA CONTAINING A MULTIPLICITY OF SMALL TRANSPARENT GLASS BEADS WHICH COMPRISES SQUEEGEEING THROUGH A STENCIL SCREEN ONTO A RELEASABLE BACKING A MIXTURE OF A TEMPORARY REMOVABLE CARRIER MATERIAL IN LIQUID FORM AND A MULTIPLICITY OF SMALL TRANSPARENT GLASS BEADS OF SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM DIAMETER, THE THICKNESS OF SAID SCREEN BEING ONLY SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE GLASS BEADS WHEREBY TO PERMIT SUBSTANTIALLY ONLY A SINGLE LAYER OF BEADS TO ENTER THE INTERSTICES OF THE SCREEN AND SAID CARRIER MATERIAL CONTAINING A RELATIVELY LARGE QUANTITY OF AN EVAPO-INTERRABLE SOLVENT SUCH THAT THE VISCOSITY OF THE CARRIER MATERIAL PERMITS SAID GLASS BEADS TO SETTLE THERETHROUGH INTO CONTACT WITH SAID BACKING AND SAID CARRIER MATERIAL BEING CAPABLE OF DRYING TO A REMOVABLE FILM OF REDUCED THICKNESS FOR EXPOSING THE UPPER PORTIONS OF SAID GLASS BEADS, DRYING THE MIXTURE TO FORM SAID FILM TO REDUCED THICKNESS WHEREBY TO EXPOSE THE UPPER PORTIONS OF SAID BEADS, APPLYING A LAYER OF A PERMANENT BINDER MATERIAL IN LIQUID FORM OVER AND BETWEEN THE EXPOSED UPPER PORTIONS OF THE BEADS, SAID BINDER MATERIAL BEING STRONGLY ADHERENT TO THE BEADS BUT READILY RELEASABLE FROM SAID CARRIER MATERIAL, AND DRYING THE BINDER LAYER TO PERMANENTLY EMBED THE BEADS THEREIN. 